Coronavirus fears may see home loan interest rates remain low

The potential for future rate cuts to counteract a global slowdown caused by the coronavirus is a silver lining for Japan’s major real estate developers. As interest rates are slashed further, borrowing costs are expected to remain low for developers and home buyers.

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by Zoe Ward

Agency to call in fraudulently obtained Flat35 home loans

The Japan Housing Finance Agency has begun calling in Flat35-type loans that were fraudulently obtained by investors. These home loans are designed for owner-occupiers, not investors, offering borrowers a low, fixed-rate mortgage over the duration of the loan. 

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by Zoe Ward

Another real estate company facing mortgage fraud allegations

The Nikkei Shimbun newspaper broke the story of yet another real estate company that is alleged to have been signing up buyers for home loans on investment properties. The news caused the company's share price to plummet by as much as a third in the week following the news report.

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by Zoe Ward

Flat 35 Home Loan Report for 2018

On July 12, the Japan Housing Finance Agency released its annual report on Flat 35 home loans. The report gives us a look at what type of homes people are buying and how much they are spending on them. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting changes in borrowing that have taken place over the past 10 years.

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by Zoe Ward

Novice investors facing potential mortgage fraud

A number of investors may soon be in for a rude shock as the Asahi Shimbun newspaper has revealed rampant abuse of home loans for investment properties. Anyone caught out may see their loan immediately called in. 

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by Zoe Ward

Net bank finds buyers fraudulently using home loans for investment properties

A major online bank in Japan has found several cases of mortgage fraud where borrowers have lied on their loan applications in order to obtain low interest rate home loans on investment properties. 

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by Zoe Ward

ORIX trialing 45-year loans on investment properties

ORIX Bank began trialing 45-year loans on investment properties in May 2018, making it the longest property loan on offer in the industry, exceeding the typical maximum term of 35 years.

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by Zoe Ward